Can major surgery save Community Hospital?

Officials with Community Hospital at Dobbs Ferry are still awaiting a response from the state Department of Health on a compromise to keep the hospital open by becoming an ambulatory-care facility.

The hospital was one of nine statewide that was recommended for closure by the state Commission

The commission, headed by investment banker Stephen Berger, was formed by former Gov. George Pataki in 2005 with a mandate to "right size" the state's health-care system, including nursing homes.

Jim Foy, president of St. John's Riverside Health Care System, of which Community Hospital is a part, hopes to reach a compromise with the state.

He said St. John's has submitted a proposal to give up its 50 operating beds and operating certificate, and continue its emergency room, and offer ambulatory and diagnostic services with 12 beds transferred from St. John's Riverside Hospital in Yonkers.

"They have expressed an openness to consider (this plan), but we have not yet gotten a response," he said.

Foy said he met with state Health Department officials about three weeks ago, and was not given a specific date as to when a decision may be made by the state.

In July, Community Hospital at Dobbs Ferry won a temporary injunction against New York state relating to a lawsuit it filed challenging the legality of the commission.

The decision means the state can't implement the recommendations of the commission until a final court decision on the matter is made.